Discarding the historical logic of military coups, the Pakistan Army will this time defend the Constitution and not allow the protest leaders to force resignation of the Prime Minister and dissolution of the National Parliament and Provincial Assemblies.

The political elite of Pakistan are divided over the prosecution of General Musharraf. While a listless prosecution is moving at a snail pace, some prominent politicians are speaking against the wisdom of prosecution.

Musharraf, Pakistan's former military strongman, may soon be prosecuted, the first time in the country's history that a former army chief will face legal action for violating the constitution. For Prime Minister Sharif, it is an opportunity to shut the door against future military coups.

Given these grave challenges, Pakistan's upcoming parliamentary elections constitute a crucial test for its fragile democracy. Will the country's new government be able to address the rapidly deteriorating state of affairs in the country?

On Friday, Imran Farooq, a founding leader of MQM, the fourth-largest political party in Pakistan, was stabbed to death in London. Since 2009, more than 200 MQM workers and supporters have been the victims of targeted killings.